Tic environmental event sensor

ABSTRACT

The TIC environmental event sensor is a nickel-sized, ultra-thin circuit assembly, containing an extremely compact array of both environmental sensors and physical sensors, along with local and wireless access to all the sensor data, including BTLE &amp; LoRa, as well as an electronic ink display for limited field access to sensor events in real time. The TIC is designed to capture changes in the sensor data in real time, and then log it for future examination. The most recent change will remain on the device&#39;s display. The changes can then be transmitted to a smart phone or tablet via BTLE, networked as an asset via LoRa, or locally scrolled at the device. The TIC is Ideal for tracking any variations in the surrounding conditions of an asset&#39;s travel, storage or use.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of Provisional Application No.62/660,926 filed on Apr. 20, 2018, inventor Darrel Eugene Self, entitled“TIC ENVIRONMENTAL EVENT SENSOR”. The entire disclosure of thisprovisional patent application is hereby incorporated by referencethereto, in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an environmental event sensors, forsensing an array of both environmental and physical events, and forproviding local and wireless access to the sensor data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is a problem in the art to provide a sensor for recording events thatoccur over a period of time. Such sensors have use in areas in manyfields. For example, it is needed where it may be important to know thenumber of duty cycles that have occurred, such as for warranty purposesin a mechanical or electrical device, so that a manufacturer can set alimit for warranty purposes. Other events can be sensed, which likewisecan apply for warranty purposes, such as high or low temperature, highor low pressure, exposure to certain gasses, and so on.

Such sensors are also useful for preventive maintenance purposes, sothat during maintenance it can determined whether a particular device,object, or circuit needs to be replaced.

Further uses include the transportation and storage industries. And,manufacturing and processing industries have equipment, sensors,machinery and circuits which can be monitored with an event sensor.

The size and life of an event sensor matter, and in many cases thesmaller the sensor the better, and the longer-lived the sensor, thebetter.

There is a need for a long-lived sensor which is high in efficiency,which is small in size with miniaturized components, and which canrecord events that are sensed. There is also a need for a long-livedsensor in which event parameters can be set, so that it will recordevents above and/or below such parameters. There is also a need for asensor that can display the events, and wherein the events areselectable during display.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

From the foregoing, it is seen that it is a problem in the art toprovide a device meeting the above requirements. According to thepresent invention, a device is provided which meets the aforementionedrequirements and needs in the prior art. Specifically, the deviceaccording to the present invention provides a sensor having a displayand sensor circuitry having a power source, miniaturized components, anda plurality of sensors.

The sensor device of the present invention provides a long-lived sensorwhich is high in efficiency, which is small in size with miniaturizedcomponents, and which can record events that are sensed. The presentinvention also provides a sensor in which event parameters can be set,so that it will record events above and/or below such parameters.

The invention further provides a sensor that can display the events, andwherein the events are selectable during display.

The TIC environmental event sensor is a nickel-sized, ultra-thin circuitassembly, containing an extremely compact array of both environmentalsensors and physical sensors, along with local and wireless access toall the sensor data, including BTLE & LoRa, as well as an electronic inkdisplay for limited field access to sensor events in real time. The TICis designed to capture changes in the sensor data in real time, and thenlog it for future examination. The most recent change will remain on thedevice's display. The changes can then be transmitted to a smart phoneor tablet via BTLE, networked as an asset via LoRa, or locally scrolledat the device. The TIC is Ideal for tracking any variations in thesurrounding conditions of an asset's travel, storage or use.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be morereadily apparent from the following detailed description when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a TIC environmental event sensor.

FIG. 1B shows construction of the device, wherein in the display at thetop is that shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A shows a front view of a sub-GHz antenna and touch ring.

FIG. 2B shows a tri-frequency antenna and touch ring.

FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, and FIG. 3C together show a microcontroller blockdiagram.

FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 4C, and FIG. 4D together show wiring for theTIC's display segments.

FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, FIG. 5C, and FIG. 5D together show a BTLE circuit.

FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, FIG. 6C, and FIG. 6D together show a long rangetransceiver circuit (also referred to as LoRa circuit).

FIG. 7 shows a multi-gas sensor circuit.

FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B together show a pressure sensor circuit.

FIG. 9 shows a temperature and humidity sensor circuit.

FIG. 10A, FIG. 10B, FIG. 10C, and FIG. 10D together show a physicalsensor circuit.

FIG. 11A, FIG. 11B, FIG. 11C, FIG. 11D, FIG. 11E, FIG. 11F, and FIG. 11Gtogether show a particulate matter circuit.

FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B together form a flow chart showing operation ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The TIC environmental event sensor of the present invention, describedin detail further below, is a nickel-sized, ultra-thin circuit assembly,containing an extremely compact array of both environmental sensors andphysical sensors, along with local and wireless access to all the sensordata, including BTLE & LoRa, as well as an electronic ink display forlimited field access to sensor events in real time. The letters TIC aremerely a shorthand designation for the device and the letters are notabbreviations and have no meaning in and of themselves.

The TIC is designed to capture changes in the sensor data in real time,and then log it for future examination. The most recent change willremain on the device's display. The changes can then be transmitted to asmart phone or tablet via BTLE, networked as an asset via LoRa, orlocally scrolled at the device. The TIC is Ideal for tracking anyvariations in the surrounding conditions of an asset's travel, storageor use.

FIG. 1A is a TIC environmental event sensor 10 (hereafter also referredto a TIC 10). FIG. 1A represents the face of the device 10 as the userwould see it.

An indicia section 12 shows physical sensor features available on theTIC 10. These physical sensor features include: tilt, shock, touch,vibration, remote access, 3-axis gyration, 3-axis magnetic fielddetection, and 3-axis acceleration detection.

An electronic ink display 14 is shown, and is the local interface forthe TIC 10 to the sensor event data. This display 14 is used to read thebasic time and measurement of each sensor event. It has icons at thebottom that display the TIC 10 timing and clock modes. Icon bars at thetop display (using an underscore indicator) the type of event recorded,i.e. whether physical events or environmental events.

A SET key 16 is provided for local access to the TIC's internal clockand sensor settings, and is operated much like a traditional programmingpin button on a digital watch.

A NAV key 18 is provided that serves as a local navigation scrollthrough the TIC is internal clock and sensor settings. The NAV key 18 ismuch like the traditional scrolling pin button on a digital watch.

A display icon 20 indicates the word atmospheric, and indicates an iconwithin the display that appears if the recorded event is environmental.A display icon 22 represents an icon with in the display that appears ifthe recorded event is physical. This is a display for a physical sensorevent.

FIG. 1B shows construction of the device 10, wherein in the display atthe top is that shown in FIG. 1A. The assembly of FIG. 1B includes alayer 23, which is a PET and ITO layer of the TIC display. The layer 23represents the transparent face layer of the electronic inkconstruction.

Beneath the layer 23 is a layer 24, wherein the layer 24 is a matrix andelectronic ink layer on the TIC's display 14. The layer 24 representsthe transparent face layer of the electronic ink construction.

A layer 26 is shown below the layer 24, the layer 26 showing and endview or profile of the TIC's printed circuit board. This represents theelectrical and foundation layer of the electronic ink construction. Thisis the core of the TIC's electronic ink display 14.

A layer 28 is disposed below the layer 26. The layer 28 is a stencil andbonding reference. This represents the adhesive stencil and toolingfabrication for the TIC's PCB display area.

PET Layer (Non-Conductive Adhesive or Seal):

The matrix layer is a porous nanocomposite, Patented by Zikon, includingTiO2 nanoparticles, this nanocomposite is spray-painted onto theITO-side of the PET film, and crosslinked by a polymer blend, composedof silicone and acrylates. After drying, the composite adheres (lightly)to the PET, (not glued). The TIC PCB embeds exposed Gold Plated Segmentsin a top layer of Copper, using a power heat press, the PET-Matrix shownabove is then pressed with force onto the TIC PCB's Gold surface, fittedwith adhesive and Silver epoxy for 5 mn at 250F. The matrix itself isnot physically bonded or glued to the gold plated segments, but tightlycompressed against the gold. Time and Temperature are then needed toraise the temperature of the PET above the glass temperature and to curethe epoxy film that binds your board to the PET edge that waspre-abrased and patterned with NPT holes. UV-triggered thermosettingfilms will not migrate into the Matrix under Temp or Pressure, and ifusing a Gasket, cut out with a vinyl cutter, not a CO2 laser as it meltsand destroys the adhesive, and then place the cut-out onto the PCB andheat tacked according to datasheet Instructions. After UV activation,Silver Epoxy is placed on the PCB Connection Pads where shown.

FIG. 2A shows a front view of a sub-GHz antenna and touch ring 30. Theantenna is a 2.4 GHZ/sub-GHZ antenna. This represents the TIC's embeddedtrace designed for the LoRa radio frequencies.

FIG. 2B shows a tri-frequency antenna and touch ring 32. The antenna 32represents the TIC's embedded multifrequency transmission and receivingartwork, and this custom RF pattern allows the TIC 10 to connect (byradio transmission) to other devices and also allows the TIC 10 to sensea human touch. This view also shows the top copper display area isolatedinside of the antennas GND ring (unnumbered in this view).

The device shown in FIG. 2 is also referred to herein as “Custom HumanInterfaces” (RF and Touch Sensing). Along with detecting complexmovements, the TIC also embeds a Custom Touch mechanism as shown,designed to flag any handling of the device. At the heart of thissensor, is Microchip Technologies' mTouch Sensing Solution, which is atouch sensing method based on changes in capacitance. The mTouch™Sensing Solution system operates by creating a parasitic capacitancebetween a touch sensor pad on the system PCB and ground. When the user'sfinger comes into close proximity to the sensor pad, an increase incapacitance is generated by the iron in the user's blood. This forms anadditional sensor pad and is coupled to ground through the user'sextremities. Many modern applications implement capacitive sensing toprovide a sleek, aesthetic, and professional look to their product. Inthe TIC's case, this water resistant technology provides a robust indoorand outdoor sensor, that can be embedded into the PCB tracing itself,allowing it's mechanism to seem to disappear into the TIC'sarchitecture.

FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, and FIG. 3C together show a Micro controller blockdiagram. FIG. 3A shows a microcontroller 40 which runs (operates) theentire device 10. The microcontroller 40 contains embedded code thatdirects all other sub-components.

These sub-components communicate to and from the microcontroller blockof FIG. 3A, and the communications are shown at the right hand side ofFIG. 3A in a conventional manner for a circuit diagram.

In FIG. 3A, a part numbering system 42 is indicated which is showninside the outlined portion, and this represents a user table forfeature selection. For example, users may not need all of the TIC'ssensors or radios, for example, and this allows them to choose. Bycreating a part number, a user can specify and purchase only the TICfeatures that they need. This is discussed further below.

FIG. 3B shows the microcontroller 40, and shows connections 44 which areindicated on the right hand side of FIG. 3B. These connections go to ablock showing a RTCC (“real time clock calendar”) display hours, and toa block showing RTCC display months. These blocks are unnumbered in FIG.3B.

On the left side of FIG. 3B, connections are shown to three blocksshowing EEPROM non-volatile memory, which are unnumbered in this figure.The left side of FIG. 3B also shows a block for a 3-axis gyrometeraccelerometer magnetometer, a block for a barometric pressure sensor, ablock for temperature humidity sensor, and a block for a multiple gassensor. These blocks are labeled and are unnumbered in FIG. 3B. Themultiple gas sensor handles H2, CO2, C3H5OH, and VOC.

FIG. 3C shows a remaining portion of the microcontroller 40, includingconnections on the right hand side indicated generally at 46. Theconnections 46 go to the RTCC display days block and to the RTCC displayyear block, with both blocks being a numbered in this view.

The left side of FIG. 3C shows connections and an “EEPROM non-volatilememory” block, an “interrupts serial i2C bus” block, a “serial SPI bus,ICSP” block, and a power supply block. These blocks are unnumbered inFIG. 3C. The power supply is indicated to be at +3.0 v, and +1.8 v.

A central portion of FIG. 3C shows a number of lithium batteries indifferent sizes, which are used to power the microcontroller 40 and theTIC sensor 10 overall.

FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 4C, and FIG. 4D together show wiring 50 for theTIC's display segments. A display 54 is shown in FIG. 4A, whichrepresents the tracing from each display pixel and it's connections tothe microcontroller 40. These types of displays are well-known ingeneral, and the present invention is not limited to the display shownand is contemplated as including all other types of displays capable ofbeing produced by any one having skill in the electronic display arts.

FIG. 4B is a portion of the wiring 50 connecting controllers (unumberedin FIG. 4B) and specific wiring sections 54 along the bottom of FIG. 4B.The lower portion of FIG. 4B connects with an upper portion of FIG. 4C.

FIG. 4C shows the wiring 50 and the wiring portion 54. In FIG. 4C,controllers are provided for the wiring, and are shown on the left handside of 4C. The controllers are unnumbered in this view. This view willbe understood by any one having skill in the electronic ink display artsand digital display circuit fabrication arts.

FIG. 4D shows a circuit 60, the circuit 60 having a circuit portion 62for the SET button, a circuit portion 64 for the NAV button, and acircuit portion 66 for the real-time clock calendar (RTCC) circuit. Thisrepresents SET, NAV, and RTCC connections to and from the microcontroller 40. The elements 68 show the pull-up and pull-down resistoroptions for off-state for the SET and NAV circuit portions. Elements 62,64, and 66 respectively show the SET, NAV, and RTCC wiring to themicrocontroller 40.

FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, FIG. 5C, and FIG. 5D together show a BTLE circuit 70.The abbreviation BTLE stands for “Bluetooth Low Energy Transceiver”. InFIG. 5A, blocks inside the device are labeled and their functionsindicated, and the connections among the blocks are shown. A temperaturesensor block is shown, as well as a sleep block and BTLE front endblock. Any one having skill in a microcontroller fabrication and controlarts will understand how to make and use the device shown in FIG. 5A.

In FIG. 5B a timing circuit 80 is shown, as well as a crystal 82 forreal-time frequency and a crystal 84 for operating frequencies.

In FIG. 5C, the BPLE's RF path 90 is shown, from the chip to an antenna94. A number of passive and matching components 92 are shown for theBTLE's RF path 90.

FIG. 5D shows a power supply circuit 110 for the BTLE's power supply. Aplurality of passive and matching components 112 are schematicallyindicated in this view.

Any one having skill in the micro controller fabrication and programmingarts can understand, make, and use a circuit corresponding to FIGS.5A-5D.

The BTLE circuit enables short range communication of data to allowseamless connectivity, and the ease of app development for smartdevices, such as mobile phones and tablets. The TIC also embeds one ofthe world's smallest BTLE transceivers, Atmel's atbtlc1000, which is anultra-low power bluetooth® smart (ble 4.1) system on a chip withintegrated mcu, transceiver, modem, mac, pa, tr switch, and powermanagement unit (pmu). It can be used as a bluetooth low energy linkcontroller or data pump with external host mcu or as a standaloneapplications processor with embedded ble connectivity and externalmemory. The qualified Bluetooth® smart protocol stack is stored indedicated ROM. The firmware includes I2cap service layer protocols,security manager, attribute protocol (att), generic attribute profile(gatt), and the generic access profile (gap). Additionally, applicationprofiles such as proximity, thermometer, and many others are supportedand included in the protocol stack.

FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, FIG. 6C, and FIG. 6D together show a long rangetransceiver circuit 120 (also referred to as LoRa circuit 120). Thisrepresents a schematic circuit diagram for the TIC's LoRa communicationsystem.

The LoRa circuit 120 includes a protocol engine 122, a LoRa modem 124,and a data buffer 123. An FSK modem block is shown (unnumbered), and anOSC 128 is connected to a PLL 132 and connects to a Matching LPF 130. Anelement 137 connects to a PLL 132. An element 136 connects to an ADC133, and other unnumbered elements are shown and labeled. These elementsand circuit diagram will be understood by any one having skill in themicro-controller fabrication arts and micro-controller programming arts.

FIG. 6B shows the LoRa's timing circuit 140. A circuit portion 144 isindicated at the right indicating the actual circuit elements as shown.These elements and circuit diagram will be understood by any one havingskill in the micro-controller fabrication arts and micro-controllerprogramming arts.

FIG. 6C shows a LoRa RF path 150, of the LoRa circuit 120 of FIG. 6A.The circuit elements are as shown and labeled in this view, and theseelements and circuit diagram will be understood by any one having skillin the micro-controller fabrication arts and micro-controllerprogramming arts.

FIG. 6D shows a passive and matching components circuit portion 160 ofthe LoRa circuit 120. This circuit portion 160 is in the LoRa's RF path.These components include an RF switch 92 for engaging an antenna 95 toreceive, transmit, or touch.

FIG. 7 shows a multi-gas sensor circuit 170. The circuit 170 includesbypass capacitors 194 and 196 in the gas trips supply voltage. Themulti-gas sensor circuit 170 includes a temperature sensor 172, a heatercontrol 176, an analog front end 178, an on-dash trip memory 174, asystem controller (unnumbered), and a signal processing block 180.

The circuit 170 also includes an interface 192, a block 182 for abaseline correction to gas signals, the block 182 communicating witheach of blocks 184, 186, 188 and 190 which respectively are for tVOC,CO2eq, C3H5OH, and H2. Other components are labeled as shown, and willbe understood by any one having skill in the microcontroller fabricationand programming arts.

FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B together show a pressure sensor circuit 210. Abypass capacitor 212 is shown in the pressure chip's supply voltage. Thecircuit 210 includes a voltage and current bias 218, a circuit portion216 communicating with an MUX 224. A temperature sensor 220 communicateswith the MUX 224. A sensor bias 232 is provided as well. An analog frontend 226 communicates with an A/D converter 228 and an LPF 230. Othercircuit elements shown and labeled will be understood by any one havingskill in the microprocessor fabrication and programming arts.

FIG. 8B shows another portion of the circuit 210, including an LPFP 242,a pressure pump block 244, and a temperature comp block 246. An MUX 248is shown, which is connected to an FIFA 250 and a further MUX 252, andfrom there to a block 254 having status registers and output dataregisters. A block EN_LPFP 258 is connected to the MUX 248. A blockFIFO_EN 260 is connected to the MUX 252. A clock and timing block 262 isconnected to the block 254. An i2c block 256 communicates with the block254. Elements 264 (two are shown in FIG. 8B) represent typical passiveand matching components which may be required in this circuit.

FIG. 9 shows a temperature and humidity sensor circuit 270. The circuit270 includes a bypass capacitor 272 in the supply voltage for thecircuit 270. The circuit 270 further includes a humidity sensor 274, asignal conditioning block 276, and an MUX 278, an A/D converter 284, adata processing and signal control block 286, a calibration memory 288,and an ITC interface 290. The circuit 270 also includes a temperaturesensor 280 and a signal conditioning block 282 which is connected to theMUX 278.

FIG. 10A, FIG. 10B, FIG. 10C, and FIG. 10D together show a physicalsensor circuit 301. FIG. 10A shows a 3-axis acceleration sensor circuit310, a 3-axis direction sensor circuit 330, and a 3-axis magnetometersensor circuit 340. A schematic image of a 3-axis accelerometer 312 isshown with directions x, y, and z indicated thereon. A 3-axis gyrationsensor 332 is schematically shown with rotational axes indicated. And, a3-axis magnetometer sensor 342 is schematically shown indicating threemagnetic axes.

The physical sensor circuit 301 includes a controller 322 having anoutput indicated at 356. The circuit 301 includes registers 318, aconnection 354 and a connection 352 which are connected as shown in FIG.10C. A temperature sensor 324 is provided, connected to an A/Dconverter. A sensor fusion unit 317 is schematically indicated. A modelogic 338 is also indicated schematically. An OSC & Clock generator 336is shown, together with a “regulators and bias” element 334.

The circuit 310 includes a charge amp, a sigma Delta A/D, a gain adjust,and a “range and scale” block (unnumbered in FIG. 10C). These elementsconnect with registers 316, the registers 316 connecting as shown andindicated by numerals 348 and 350, to elements shown in FIG. 10C asshown and as described further below.

The circuit 340 includes a preamp, an ND converter, a compensationblock, and registers 318. The circuit 340 further includes regulators, atemperature sensor, and an oscillator. The registered 318 communicatewith a controller 322. The circuit portion 356 is indicated extendingfrom the controller 322 to FIG. 10B.

FIG. 10B shows the circuit 301, including the left portions of thecircuits 301, 330, and 340. A sensor fusion unit 314 in the circuitportion 340 is shown connected to a MUX (unnumbered in this figure).There is also a MUX (unnumbered) in the circuit portion 310.

FIG. 10C shows the right hand portion of the circuits of FIG. 10A, theconnections 348, 350, 352, 354, and 356 corresponding to those of FIG.10A. The connection 356 is to an interrupt 370. The connection 352 is toa slave interface 366, while the connection 354 goes to both an OTPmemory 368 and to the slave interface 366. The connection 350 goes toboth an OTP memory 362 and to a slave interface 364. The connection 348goes to an interrupt 360. These elements connect to the other circuitelements shown, and this diagram will be understood by any one havingskill in the micro controller fabrication arts and micro controllerprogramming arts.

FIG. 10D shows a remaining portion of the circuit 301, including an RFswitch 380 for engaging an antenna 94 to receive, transmit, or touch(i.e. respond to touch). The device 10 is indicated pictorially in thisview, to indicate a physical location and appearance of the device 10containing the antenna 94 and the circuit elements described above.

FIG. 11A, FIG. 11B, FIG. 11C, FIG. 11D, FIG. 11E, FIG. 11F, and FIG. 11Gtogether show a particulate matter circuit 401.

In FIG. 11A, a final gain and trimming stage 410 is shown for thecircuit 401.

In FIG. 11B, a power supply 430 is shown together with an element 435,and an element 432 and a soft start 436. FIG. 11B schematicallyindicates connection to a battery input supply 440 to the power suppliesDC/DC converter. Also shown is an on-off control 434.

FIG. 11C shows a circuit portion 460 of the circuit 401, and includes aprogramming port 464 for a sub-microcontroller chip. Element 462 is an8-bit chip in a sub-microcontroller circuit.

FIG. 11D shows a circuit portion 480 of the circuit 401, and includes adifferential OpAmp chip used in a differential amplifier circuit.

FIG. 11E shows a physical apparatus 520 which is a schematic depictionof an optical detection stage air flow chamber having an air intake andan air exhaust. In this view, liquid and solid particles areschematically indicated passing through the optical detection stage airflow chamber. An infrared emitter 522 supplies an input to branch 550 ofthe optical detection stage 520. An arm 560 extends from the opticaldetection stage 520, and directs light using a micro-photo-emitter to aninfrared detector 524. A piezo air blower chamber and measurement focallocation 526 is indicated in the region of the center of the chamber520. Element 530 is a part of an LED control circuit, and element 550 ispart of the infrared emitter circuit for the element 522. An air exhaustpasses through an exit arm 528 of the chamber 520.

FIG. 11F shows a circuit portion 610 of the circuit 401. The elementsare discussed in the foregoing as well as in the following discussion.

FIG. 11G shows a circuit portion 620 of the circuit 401. Element 435 isa power FET used to switch the power supplies DC/DC converter. Elements522 and 550 together are the optical detection stages infrared emitter,while elements 524 and 560 are the optical detection stages for theinfrared detector. Element 530 is the optical detection stagesadjustable voltage for the emitter.

In FIG. 11A through FIG. 11G, the following elements are shown.Reference blocks 432 through 436 inside the power supply DC/DC convertertrip itself. Element 435 is the power FET used to switch the powersupplies DC/DC converter. Element 440 is the battery input supply,element 462 is the 8-bit chip in the power supply. Element 482 is adifferential OpAmp chip, and element 520 is a block reference to theoptical detection stage's air flow chamber. Element 530 is the opticaldetection stage's adjustable voltage for the emitter.

FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B together form a flow chart showing operation ofthe present invention. FIG. 12A is a flowchart portion 900. FIG. 12B isa flow chart portion 960 showing operation of the present invention.

Flowchart portion 900 is an initialization page of the text flowchart.Steps 902-906 and 912 represent the flow of activity after a power orwake up, prior to going into operation.

Steps 908, 914, 918, 220-228 represent the flow of activity during useof the TIC's SET button. Steps 910, 916, 930-948 represents the flow ofactivity during use of the TIC's NAV button.

In FIG. 12B, the flow chart portion 960 is an operational page of theTIC's flow chart. Here, steps 900, 962, 988, and 990 represent the flowof activity after initialization, through operation, and back to sleep.Step 988 represents flow of activity during the polling of all sensors,radios and battery in sequence.

Steps 964-986 represent the flow of activity during specific polling ofa single sensor, radio, or battery. Step 964 represents the TIC'sability to see whether or not a sensor circuit is on the device. Step968 specifically represents the TIC's ability to see if a sensor'sthreshold has been exceeded.

Step 970 represents the TIC's ability to see whether or not a display ison the device.

Step 974 represents the TIC's ability to see whether or not e2 memory ison the device. Step 974 represent the TIC's ability to see whether aLoRa radio is on the device. Step 982 represents the TIC's ability tosee whether a BTLE radio is on the device.

The invention being thus described, it will be evident that the same maybe varied in many ways by a routineer in the applicable arts. Suchvariations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit andscope of the invention and all such modifications are intended to beincluded within the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sensor for detecting environmental and physicalevents, comprising: a display; at least one sensor, said at least onesensor having a sensor output; a microprocessor for driving said displayand receiving said sensor output to form output sensor data; a powersource for supplying power to said microprocessor, said at least onesensor, and said display; and a transmitter for transmitting said outputsensor data.
 2. A sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensor hasa thin body and a maximum dimension less than 1 inch.
 3. A sensor asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said sensor has miniaturized components. 4.A sensor for detecting environmental and physical events, comprising: adisplay; at least one sensor, said at least one sensor having a sensoroutput; a microprocessor for driving said display and receiving saidsensor output to form output sensor data; a power source for supplyingpower to said microprocessor, said at least one sensor, and saiddisplay; a tri-frequency antenna and touch ring; and a transmitter fortransmitting said output sensor data.
 5. A sensor as claimed in claim 4,wherein said sensor has a thin body and a maximum dimension less than 1inch.
 6. A sensor as claimed in claim 4, wherein said sensor hasminiaturized components.
 7. A sensor as claimed in claim 4, furthercomprising a sub-GHz antenna.
 8. A sensor for detecting environmentaland physical events, comprising: a display; at least one sensor, said atleast one sensor having a sensor output; a microprocessor for drivingsaid display and receiving said sensor output to form output sensordata; a power source for supplying power to said microprocessor, said atleast one sensor, and said display; a sub-GHz antenna; and a transmitterfor transmitting said output sensor data.
 9. A sensor as claimed inclaim 8, wherein said sensor has a thin body and a maximum dimensionless than 1 inch.
 10. A sensor as claimed in claim 8, wherein saiddisplay includes e-ink display elements.
 11. A sensor as claimed inclaim 8, wherein said sensor has a long range transceiver circuit.
 12. Asensor as claimed in claim 8, wherein said sensor has a BTLE circuit.